Unscientific humbug

FOR most of its existence, mankind had various theories of creation and only around 174 years ago did man start believing that various creatures on earth evolved through a process of natural selection to get to human beings. The tremendous work and insights of the English naturalist Charles Darwin, who propounded the theory of evolution, laid the groundwork for the now universally accepted scientific doctrine. It is also true that for centuries, man believed that the earth was flat, until knowledge developed, individually through various scholars in different societies, who deduced that it was spherical. There is not much doubt about the shape of the earth now. Yet modern versions of the “flat earth society” still exist, as do creationists.

The general tendency to look up to people who assume a position of power, if not responsibility, allows them to even make statements that strain the credibility of audiences. However, Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Satyapal Singh’s claim that the theory of evolution is “scientifically wrong” is too outrageous to be ignored, more so because he suggests that curricula in schools and colleges need to be changed in order to reflect this thinking. It may be charitable to dismiss the minister as ignorant. He is a former IPS officer, schooled in modern education which seems to have deserted him in his new role. 

Asinine remarks by BJP leaders — Singh is certainly not the only one to have planted his foot in the mouth — underline an unfortunate retardation once they assume ministerial positions. It was the long and arduous struggle for Independence that became the crucible, forging leaders who were determined to push the destiny of the nation towards a modern world, one in which secularism and scientific temper would banish repressiveness and ignorance of the past. In the “New India” a fake wisdom is being peddled by the ruling crowd. Clearly, those like Satyapal Singh ought to be told when to get off.